It is no secret that a criminal record can follow you throughout your life. Just one small mistake in your past can impact you when it comes to your ability to obtain housing, gainful employment, higher education, and more. Luckily, you may be eligible for expungement. Read on to learn more about New Jersey’s expungement laws and the process.
What is expungement?
The process of expungement essentially allows your criminal record to be sealed. This means that your record will not be accessible when it comes to applying for jobs, housing, school, and more. However, your record is sealed- not erased. Certain members of law enforcement will still be able to access your criminal record. The purpose of expungement is to live your life without your record following you.
What crimes can be expunged?
It is important to understand that not all crimes can be expunged. You may be eligible for expungement if:
- You were arrested but never charged with a crime.
- You were arrested for a juvenile offense.
- You have 3 or fewer disorderly persons convictions and one felony conviction.
- You have 4 disorderly persons offenses and 0 felonies.
What crimes cannot be expunged?
It is important to understand that not all crimes can be expunged. Crimes that cannot be expunged include:
- Robbery
- Kidnapping
- Murder
- Perjury
- Selling a controlled substance
- Aggravated sexual assault
- Arson
What is the process of expungement?
If you are interested in having your record expunged, it is important to work with an experienced criminal defense attorney. The process ahead will involve:
- File the Petition for Expungement, the Order for Hearing, and the Expungement Order
- Write a cover letter detailing all of the documents the court will file
- Distribute copies of these files to any government agency that was involved in your case
- Attend the hearing to obtain a decision on the expungement petition
If you have any questions about the expungement process, our firm is here to help. Reach out to an experienced criminal defense attorney to learn more about the process.
Contact our experienced New Jersey firm
Thomas DeMarco & Associates, LLC is an experienced Camden County criminal defense law firm located in Mt. Ephraim, New Jersey. We understand how potentially damaging a criminal can be, which is why we pride ourselves on our willingness to fight for our client’s rights. Our firm handles all criminal matters and is ready to provide you with our knowledgeable legal counsel. Do not hesitate to contact our firm to discuss your legal situation.
